In retaliation for the Israeli strikes, Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israeli cities. Israel said the June 13 attack was a series of nearly 100 ground-based missiles fired in two separate bursts, targeting densely populated areas in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
The Israeli military was able to intercept most of the Iranian missiles, but a total of 34 people were reportedly injured in the attack. Iran retaliated after Israel carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military bases on the morning of June 13. In addition to the missile strikes, Iran has also launched a number of drone attacks on Israel.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel deserved severe punishment for its aggression against Iran. The Israeli strikes killed Iranian military and civilian leaders, as well as nuclear scientists. Witnesses said the night sky was filled with loud explosions and bright colors as Israeli air defenses intercepted the missiles, and buildings on the ground shook.
Air raid sirens were also heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. AP reporters on the ground said at least two Iranian missiles had hit Tel Aviv, but the exact number of casualties was not known. A hospital in Tel Aviv said seven patients had been admitted after the second round of Iranian missile strikes.
Israeli ground rescue teams said there were no casualties in the Iranian attack, but 34 people were injured. The Israeli government said it had carried out the strikes because Iran was weeks away from developing nuclear weapons.
Israel said it had cleared the air ahead of time because Iran, if it were to acquire nuclear weapons, would pose a grave threat to Israel’s survival. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the operation to strike Iranian targets was not over and would continue for days if necessary.
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